an Osprey, an Eagle, a fish and a dispute
This painting is a political work.
In other words, the allegory here expresses a point of view
about the relationships between friends generally, and the
United States and Canada specifically.
The magnificent Bald Eagle is the U.S. national symbol:
why they chose a scavenger is not clear. And bald eagles are
known to thieve the food (or catch) of other species,
including their own.
So in the fictional world where the osprey Canada is busying itself
in gathering food, along comes its bigger brother U.S. who steals the catch.
What can he do about that? It is not feasible to fight this guy.
Better he go along, stay out of the way, play the friendship game, and
maybe he won’t take stuff without asking permission first . . . maybe.
Please do not misunderstand: I think the U.S. and Canada are great friends. We sometimes disagree and sometimes our friend can be more than a little persuasive.
Brothers
Acrylic on panel, 48 x 29 in. (2006)
Please do not reproduce the images in this display.
Contact Douglas Laing Arts & Letters for further information.
P.O. Box 659, Winchester, Ontario. K0C 2K0 613-774-5180
e-mail
© 2012 Douglas Laing